A vocational counselor or employment counsellor or vocational guidance counsellor , or a career development professional, are professionals engaged in occupational guidance who advise, coach, and supports people who are planning, seeking and managing their life/work direction.

Career development professionals may work in a variety of settings but usually work in offices where they can conduct private interviews with clients and in classrooms or boardrooms where they conduct group sessions. Depending on the organization, their hours of work may include some evening and weekend work.